Date Posted: Sep 25, 2026
How to Check Tire Tread
For 80 years, drivers, families, contractors, and companies have trusted Performance Tire & Auto in Topeka, KS, for all their vehicle service and maintenance needs. We are a full-service automotive repair shop that’s been in business since 1946. From tires, oil and filter changes, tire rotations, alignments, and balancing to routine vehicle maintenance, custom wheels, custom lift kits, and state-of-the-art diagnostics, we help keep your vehicle on the road.
At Performance Tire & Auto, we’ve developed an unbeatable reputation for service excellence. We sell high-quality, well-known tires for cars, trucks, and SUVs, as well as fleet and commercial vehicles, including work vans. Of particular importance is helping our customers understand tire tread depth.
Why is tire tread depth so important? Better yet, is there a simple process for checking tire tread with a quarter or penny? We’ll answer both questions and provide a tire tread depth chart so you know exactly when to change your tires.
Why Do Tires Wear Out?
There are several reasons your vehicle’s tire treads wear out. If your tires aren’t properly balanced or aligned, it can lead to excessive tread wear. If you don’t rotate your tires regularly, their treads may wear out much faster.
Driving on different types of terrain can also wear down your tire treads. This is common for trucks and SUVs with off-road capabilities and commercial trucks driven on construction job sites. Dirt, gravel, sand, and other rough terrain all play a role.
Finally, hard braking, aggressive driving, and consistently towing heavy equipment or machinery can accelerate tire tread wear.
Consequences of Bad Tire Tread
It’s an all-too-common mistake: Drivers assume they can continue driving with worn tire tread. At best, it reduces fuel efficiency. At worst, it can lead to a serious accident or vehicle damage.
Your tire treads are designed to maintain strong contact with the road surface. The better the contact, the better the control. Tread channels help divert water, dirt, and sand away from your tires so they can grip the road more effectively.
- Difficulty maintaining control
- Poor driving performance
- Increased danger on slippery or wet surfaces
- Greater risk of serious and expensive accidents
As your tire treads wear down, the channels lose their depth. Eventually, the channels become flush with the rest of the tire and can no longer properly divert water, sand, or gravel. This can result in bald tires.
Bald tires are especially dangerous. Whether you’re driving in snow or rain or traveling over dirt and sand, worn tires can cause a serious loss of control and increase the risk of an accident.
Using a Penny or Quarter to Check Tire Tread Depth
There are two simple ways to check your tire tread depth using a penny or quarter. When using a penny, position Lincoln’s head downward and insert the penny into a tread groove. If all of Lincoln’s head is visible, you should schedule a tire replacement.
When using a quarter, follow the same process. Position Washington’s head downward and slide the quarter into the tire tread. If you can see all of his head, it’s time to book a tire replacement with our team.
While both approaches provide a general idea of tread depth, a tread depth gauge offers a more accurate measurement.
- The penny and quarter tire tread tests provide quick results.
- A digital tread depth gauge provides a more accurate measurement.
When using a gauge, take three measurements on each tire: one on the inside, one on the outside, and one in the center. Measure more than one tire. Different readings across the same tire may indicate an alignment issue.
Most tire tread depth gauges sold today are digital. However, older mechanical versions also provide measurements in thirty-seconds of an inch. Compare your measurements with the tire tread depth chart below.
Tire Tread Depth Chart
| Tread Depth | Tire Condition | What It Means / Recommended Action |
| 10/32" or more | Excellent | Typical tread depth for new tires. Plenty of tread remains. |
| 8/32" | Very Good | Light wear; strong tread depth remains. |
| 6/32" | Good | Still safe, but drivers should use caution on wet, snowy, or rainy roads. |
| 4/32" | Worn | Wet-road traction is seriously reduced. Schedule a replacement. |
| 2/32" | Replace | The tire is completely worn and should be replaced immediately. |
Schedule Tire Replacement and Vehicle Maintenance at Performance Tire & Auto
Performance Tire & Auto built its reputation by providing exceptional service at fair, affordable, and competitive prices. We’re the go-to tire, maintenance, and vehicle service provider for drivers who have been let down by other service centers. We’re a trusted resource for drivers, business owners, and families who want the job done right the first time.
If you’re concerned that your tire treads are worn and would like to schedule a replacement, contact Performance Tire & Auto today.